The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-06-09
ROMANTIC ADVENTURE.
The Bold Rescue Of a Captains
Lady-LoVe.

Lady-LOVe.
Il was at Constantinople. We found our
selves in a feet of sixty vessels, of al ma
tions. Ours was the only vessel flying the
American flag.
The time hangs heavily when ships are
waiting for freights or winds to start them
into active service. Pera had become dread
fully dull TO US, and we had done up Con-
stantinOple and the surrounding country to
our hearts content With the exception of
an occasional dinner at the Consulate, there
was no recreation to be had-no theaters or
operas. A dozen of us tried TO swim the
BOsporus from the point from which Byron
was said to have started. He must have
accomplished his feat in the summer, for
we signally failed in the attempt, owing to
the temperature of the water, and were
glad enough to be taken on board our boats
before we got half way.
Our only resort was hotel which was
kept by the wife of the captain of the port,
who was in exile for murder. She was q
true type of Grecian beauty, native of
Athens, Just such person as the bard who
swan so well would immortaliZe in verse.
Between the hotel and the landing where
i've took our boats for the ship was dis
lance of about three-quarters of a mile.
Nost ofthe streets were guarded by gates,
which were closed at night, when no one
was allowed to pass-unless sailors, who
with few piasters could bride the guard
to open for them at any time. We never
ventured to be out late unless we were a
dozen or so strong; then we would sally
forth, lantern in one hand and pistol in the
o&h l.y
robbers, who did not hesitate to take life.
The Turkish authorities took no notice Of
troubles arising among foreigners. The
consuls were supposed to care for the in
terests Of their own people saw a Greek
stab and rob an Austrian captain within
twenty feet Of Turkish guard, who did not
interfere, and who showed less interest
than he would have shown at fight be-
tween two packs of dogs.
The street which was our regular route
20 the ship.had a gate and guard-house at
either end. Blank walls about twenty feet
high extended some five hundred feet along
both sides of the street Behind these walls
were the palaces of two OF the grand
Pashas. We could only see the windows of
the upper stories, the magnifcence within
was left to our imagination. As we were
walking past one afternoon one of the
windows was suddenly thrown open, and
there appeared at it the most beautiful
woman | had ever seen. We were fairly
electrified by her beauty. She had defied a
well-known edictin showing US her face, as
we knew. Instantly as she appeared we
saw her throw something over the wall,
and then she closed the window. 1t was a
note which she had thrown. We allrushed
TO pick it up. The prize was won by a
Swedish Captain, who Immediately pocket
cd il.
When we arrived at the landing the
Swedish Captain invited me on board his
ship. We had been so intimate during our
stay that the rest Of our party could not
take ofense at this preference; but how
anxious they were to know the contents of
that note! insisted that no gentleman
could ask, nor would any divulge its con-
tents, which justly belonged to its captor.
Once on board, the note was opened, when
an agitation seized the captain which made
him appear to me like lunatic.
Captain" he said, handing me the noto,
'you are married, and circumstances have
proved how mnch you love your wife. / am
unmarried, and have fallen desperately in
love. Help me by your advice. What shall
dol Ny ship is ready to sail, and the
wind Is fair. / do not own the vessel or
cargo and therefore have no right to detain
her. Read, and tell me what to do"
As my own marriage had been very TO-
mantle, this affair was doubly exciting to
me. The note was written in O good En-
glish hand, as follows:
"I know you are Christians, and will save me
from this life OF degradation. Entombed in this
harem, from which there is no other way of es-
cape, appeal TO you in mercy to save me- God
know, viii open yonr hearts, give wisdom and
guide you tomorrow night TO a silken thread
thrown from TINS window, near where you found
my note. To the thread attach your answer
Death awaits discovery.
The night was spent in devising means of
rescue. The captain swore upon the Bible
that he would marry her il rescued, and il
she would consent Jewels are most priced
when most difficult to obtain. Twas in fuIl
sympathy with his feelings, and when the
day broke our plan of action had been de-
termined. 1 saw that he was unified to 20
TO sea, his head being entirely turned. and
to ease his conscience upon the point of his
duty pointed out that the interest of all par
ties would be served best il he should defer
his departure until the dark moon, when
she plan devised could be put into opera
ton. This would neccssitate a delay of
five days.
Among our friends we were to pretend
that no Importance attached to the missiye
which the lady had thrown out. Asa reason
Tor his delay in not sailing the Swedish
captain was to say that he had discovered
leak In the ships top side after he had
loaded her, which made it necessary to Ca
reen her for repairs. 1t required much
tact to avoid the captains with whom we
had been in daily'company, and to make ex-
cuses to stay ashore late every night. We
stayed ashore to become well ACQUAINTED
with the guards, whom we thought wecould
induce, by appearing to be half drunt and
by liberal use of money, to open the pates
for us at any time. The first night we half
staggered up 70 the gate, handed the guards
one hundred piasters, and then showed
them our empty pockets, whereupon thew
allowed US to pass through the gate, point |
ing to their hearts to assure Us that no one |
should pass that way to modest us. Each of
rs carried the usual paper lantern to illumi- |
nate the way, and we were well armed with !
pistols and cutlssses.' During the day we
had paced the distance from the gate 70 the
spot where 1--WE might expect to find the
Thread, and we now had but to pace OF the
same number of steps n the darkness